Fire Protection Firm Breached Settlement With Union, NLRB Rules

An Illinois fire protection company must hold at least four bargaining sessions per month with its workers’ union because it defaulted on a settlement agreement, the National Labor Relations Board ruled.

American Backflow & Fire Prevention Inc. violated the deal by withdrawing its recognition of the union as the workers’ representative without a lawful basis, a divided NLRB panel held Tuesday. The settlement called for the company to recognize the union and bargain with it.

The case stems from American Backflow’s response to its technicians and plumbers choosing to be represented by an affiliate of the United Association of Journeymen ...